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Sunday, 20 October 2013

Once again, today we have a divergent review: strong feelings of love and hate are shown here.

Jade is a normal teenage girl in a small town named Dog Mountain. This town is run by a pack of werewolves, that Jade grew to hate over the years.
Meet Aidan: the one who is going to change everything.

I'm not a big werewolf fan, but this book was actually readable. I love how all the pack and alpha politics were explained in this book. This book actually convinced to try more werewolf books.
Also, the relationships between different levels of respect in the pack; how the beta is the right hand man for the alpha, and how the females are supposed to look up at their female alpha.

But what I didn't like about the plot -or rather, the romance- is how predictable it was. No, Jade would totally not fall for the new hottie in town, or that he would get interest in her.
Also, many characters confirmed that Jade had a really strong aura around her, but I didn't feel it and the story didn't make her stronger.

Written really well, I could just slide through the book.

And once again, like in many young adult novels now days, the female point of view is much more realistic and interesting than the guy's. Seriously, Aidan is all about werewolf politics. While the Alpha only thought of his pack, Jade was actually the one who was progressing the love and main plotline!

I also enjoyed some of the characters, but none of them stood out. Some were a bit unrealistically changed.

Overall, the story is enjoyable and fun to read, except for Aidan's parts and not many likable characters.

Saturday, 19 October 2013

This book was a really entertaining read, but some flaws just were in the way. This is going to be a free style review where I'll say all my opinions one after another.

Roxy is a royal from the Helian Realm, where people after the name of 'Protectors' are using the element of their kingdom: fire. She's in training to become a protector, when her grandfather summoned a summit where all the leaders from all the realms will organize.
Jasmine is a young girl from the Arcan Realm, who is good friend with the prince of their realm, where the element is: air. She is struggling with knowing her origins until something doesn't go right.

First of all: I liked Roxy much more than Jasmine. She was much better done and had much more personality to her. Jasmine was the most paranoid character that I've ever met. I didn't like her for so many reasons: not talking to her best friend, being judgmental of others and more. I felt like she was there to annoy me.

But, I really loved the world building! I loved that most realms have advanced technology (except for the Sephan Realm, which it's element is earth and all the people there are a bunch of green thumbs), and that each had a very unique lifestyle. For example, Helians are really loving the dangerous life while Arcans are religious people. This is one of those fantasy worlds I want to live in!

I also liked how the Protectors have colorful highlights of their elements. I would totally go around with crazy colors in my hair! And every element also has kind of additional powers, like Control for the Helians.

Another thing I didn't like about the book was how some stuff could be really predictable (I don't want to write down any spoilers).

Overall, the world building is amazing, most of the character were well written and even though the plot is a bit predictable, I really loved this book!

P.S.: Today, October 19th, is the release date of the second book, Water!

4 STARS

This book was provided by the R4R program in exchange for a honest review.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

This story was specialized for low reading level, but it also felt like the story wasn't fully developed. Still, I did really enjoy it.

Anna lived her entire life in a mansion on an isolated island. Living with her father and three other souls, as a cook and such, she never met anyone of her age and always lonely by herself. Until one stormy night, a boy is washed to the island.

Plot:
The plot was nice and light, but it really reminded me a book I've read earlier this year, and despised it. Anyhow, I gave this book a shot.

I love how there's build up in the story. An introduction, the change, the process... but no ending. Seriously, this book has such an open ending that you feel like there's part two.

News break: there's no part two.

Writing:
The story's reading level was for third graders, but it wasn't horrible or too bland. I actually think it was perfect for this level, except it could use a bit of more poetic here and there.

Romance:
I enjoyed to see the romance unfold in a really cute fashion! How they started meeting each other and asking about each others life. They became friends, had ups and downs, had their moments and in the end, promised to see each other once again.

What I loved about the romance in this book is that unlike in some young adult books, sometimes the two main characters fall in love instantly, no real feelings, just loving each other for looks. This book gave the love to develop and made the reader feel it.

Characters:
Unfortunately, I didn't feel anything for the minor characters. I kind of felt as if only Anna and Rob were the only one well developed.

Overall:
I liked the story itself and surprisingly, enjoyed the simple writing. I only felt that the end was too much open and there's still a lot to tell.3 STARSLiked:
-Anna & Rob
-Romance
-Writing
-Story build up

Saturday, 5 October 2013

Today, we start our top ten Saturdays! Today, lads and gents, we are going to talk about my top ten books that are coming out the last three months of 2013 -or- in 2014.

10.Learning Not to Drown by Anna Shinoda

"Family secrets cut to
the bone in this mesmerizing debut novel about a teen whose
drug-addicted brother is the prodigal son one time too many.

There
is a pecking order to every family. Seventeen-year old Clare is the
overprotected baby; Peter is the typical, rebellious middle child; and
Luke is the oldest, the can’t-do-wrong favorite. To their mother, they
are a normal, happy family.

To Clare, they are a family on the
verge of disaster. Clare: the ambitious striver; Peter: the angry
ticking time bomb; and Luke: a drug-addicted convicted felon who has
been in and out of jail for as long as Clare can remember—and who has
always been bailed out by their parents.

Clare loves Luke, but
life as his sister hasn’t been easy. And when he comes home (again), she
wants to believe this time will be different (again). Yet when the
truths behind his arrests begin to surface, everything Clare knows is
shaken to its core. And then Luke is arrested. Again.

Except this
time is different, because Clare’s mom does the unthinkable on Luke’s
behalf, and Clare has to decide whether turning her back on family is a
selfish act…or the only way to keep from drowning along with them.

Debut
novelist Anna Shinoda's raw, gritty, powerful novel cuts right to the
bone and brings to life the skeletons the lurk in the closet." from GoodReads

The premise sounds really interesting: a family who is falling apart. It sounds like a really deep read for the winter (I like to read sad stuff when it's cold).
Also, it's a debut novel, so it's exciting to see what the author has to offer.

9. The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black

"Twelve-year-old Callum
Hunt has grown up knowing three rules by heart. Never trust a magician.
Never pass a test a magician gives you. And never let a magician take
you to the Magisterium. Callum is about to break all the rules. And when
he does, his life will change in ways he can’t possibly imagine." from GoodReads

Many rumors float around this new series, called Magisterium, which has five books, each represents a year in Callum's life from the age twelve? Sounds familiar? (Percy Jackson, Harry Potter)

Anyhow, the premise sounds intense, and I hope to see what those two authors will come up with.

8. Ruins by Joshua Winning

This is the second book in the Sentinel Trilogy.

Well, let's start off with the fact that this book doesn't have a description, cover or even a year of publication, I'm really curious with what is going to happen to Nicholas. There's so much more to explain!

7. The Retribution of Mara Dyer

The Retribution of Mara Dyer is the last book in the Mara Dyer Trilogy.

Okay, I didn't even read the first and second book. Yet.

But believe me, I'm enjoying the first book so much that I just die here from feels and this fandom wrecks my heart.

If you don't know what the series is about, it's about a girl name Mara (duh), who gets into an accident with her friends, when she's the only survivor. She gets a traumatic experience that makes her forget the night when her friends died. The stress is taken out as hallucination.

The fun part about this book, is that Mara is the narrative, and sometimes, you don't know if what she sees is real or not.

6. Horizon by Alyson Noel

"Fate has bound them together—and torn them apart. Now Daire and Dace face one final fight that will seal their destiny forever.

Daire
Santos is the last of the Soul Seekers, and the only thing standing
between the Richters and the destruction of everyone she loves. With her
grandmother gone and Cade back in Enchantment, Daire must finally step
into her destiny and lead the fight against the Richters. But what if
that means sacrificing the person she loves most?

Bound to the
Richters by blood, Dace struggles against the darkness growing inside
him that threatens to claim Daire too. Though Daire refuses to give up
on him, the choice may not be hers. An epic battle is on the horizon and
the end of the world looms near. With such insurmountable odds stacked
against them, is their love really enough to conquer all?" from GoodReads

The Soul Seekers might be the best creation by Noel. This series is much more fun to read, and yes, a little too slow at the beginning, but it so amazing by the end and I even liked most of the characters. Thumbs up for this series!

5. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

"Los Angeles, 2012. It’s
been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim
stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs
lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child,
Emma has dedicated her life to the eradication of demons and being the
best, fastest and deadliest Shadowhunter since Jace Lightwood. Raised in
the Los Angeles Institute, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best
friend, Julian. As Emma hunts those who caused the death of her parents,
the trail they’re following leads back to those they’ve always been
taught to trust. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with Julian —
her closest friend and, because he is her parabatai, the one person in
the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set
against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must
learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot
that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to
the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica." from GoodReads

Yes, I know that many people think it's 'too much' shadowhunters. But I personally like this world, even though it is a copy of Harry Potter. We shall see!4. Champion by Marie Lu"The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.She is a Prodigy.Who will be Champion?

June
and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each
other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is
back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the
government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned
a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the
circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace
treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and
war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is
deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her
country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking
the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding
action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning
conclusion." from GoodReadsI just LOVED the first book in the trilogy, Legend, and I can't wait to put my hands on Prodigy and Champion. Those books make you feel like you just watched an epic, action packed movie. If you didn't read it yet, you need to jump on this train, my friend.3. Fates by Lanie Bross

"What if your destiny was to kill the one you love?

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She
fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled
to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people’s fates unfold
according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment:
kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the
first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in
her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like
she’s falling all over again—this time for a boy she knows she can never
have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them
must die.

In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?" from GoodReadsI just fell for the plot of unfolding people's fates, making them go as planned. This sounds like a book with twists and heart wrecking moments.2. The Young Elites by Marie Lu"The new series, set in
what Putnam described as a “Renaissance-like world,” is called The Young
Elites. It follows three rival societies with supernatural powers
battling for supremacy.

And a girl transforms from an unwanted daughter into a fearsome leader, igniting panic and sparking war between seven nations." from GoodReadsYou know you love an author when two books written by them are in your "want-now-beach" list. I just don't think I can wait till Fall 2014.1. Hellhole by Gina Damico"With no social life to
speak of, a job that he spends more time at than school, and a sick
mother to care for at home, Max Kilgore doesn't exactly need another
thing on his plate. Yet it arrives one night, forcefully and
unexpectedly, and refuses to leave his basement: a devil.

Specifically,
the kind of devil who eats a lot of junk food and watches a lot of
reality television and plays a lot of video games. But evil is still
evil, no matter what form it takes. Max knows that his life and the
lives of everyone in his small town are in danger, but how can he get
rid of the guy without incurring the wrath of hell?" from GoodReadsGina did a great job with her Croak trilogy (or so reviews say), and this book sounds like the perfect fun read for the Halloween season. I love to hear about demons that are 'out of the box', and this sounds like a book for both genders. Already putting on my favorites shelf.